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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Crime & Justice

Police arrest five for kidnapping school children in Ondo

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • Ondo State Police have arrested five men suspected of kidnapping two young brothers in Ore.
  • The suspects allegedly collected ransom before the children were freed.
  • Police recovered N251,000 in suspected ransom money and are pursuing other gang members.

The Ondo State Police Command announced the arrest of five men implicated in the kidnapping of two young brothers in Ore. The Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad apprehended the suspects after they allegedly abducted the children and collected a ransom.

Following the kidnapping of two brothers, Jehu, 10, and Yohana, 5, who were abducted on their way to school in the Jerry Sawmill Area of Ore on May 12, 2026.

— DSP Abayomi JimohThe Public Relations Officer of the Ondo State Police Command detailing the initial incident of the kidnapping.

The victims, Jehu, 10, and Yohana, 5, were taken on May 12 while en route to school in the Jerry Sawmill Area of Ore. Their father reported the incident to the police, initiating an intelligence-driven investigation. Detectives, using technical intelligence and tracking, located and arrested two suspects, Taofeek Lukman, 23, and Blessing Saturday, 27, in the Alaba Area of Ore.

Further investigation led to the identification and arrest of three more suspects: Peter Moses, 25; Sunday Isaac, 23; and Sanusi Dan Asabe, 37. Police believe these individuals are part of a criminal syndicate responsible for the abduction. During the operation, officers recovered N251,000, believed to be part of the ransom paid by the victims' family before the children's safe return.

Police investigations, aided by technical intelligence and tracking analysis, led operatives to the Alaba Area of Ore where two suspects, Taofeek Lukman, 23, and Blessing Saturday, 27, were arrested.

— DSP Abayomi JimohThe Public Relations Officer describing the initial arrests made by the police.

Authorities are continuing efforts to apprehend other fleeing members of the gang and recover additional evidence. The arrested suspects have reportedly provided confessional statements detailing their roles in the crime. The Commissioner of Police, Felix Ohagwu, commended the anti-kidnapping squad for their professionalism and intelligence-led tactics, reaffirming the command's commitment to combating kidnapping and violent crimes in the state.

the command’s determination to sustain the crackdown on kidnapping and violent crimes across the state, assuring residents that the safety of lives and property remains a top priority.

— Felix OhagwuThe Ondo State Commissioner of Police reaffirming the command's commitment to security.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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